Vettel leads Red Bull one-two in Japan

Germany’s Sebastian Vettel won the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday for the second consecutive year, leading a Red Bull one-two at the Suzuka circuit. The 23-year-old, who started from pole, recorded his third victory of the season, with championship leader Mark Webber finishing second, 0.9 seconds adrift.

Germany’s Sebastian Vettel won the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday for the second consecutive year, leading a Red Bull one-two at the Suzuka circuit. The 23-year-old, who started from pole, recorded his third victory of the season, with championship leader Mark Webber finishing second, 0.9 seconds adrift.

It was Red Bull’s third one-two finish of the season after Malaysia and Monaco.

Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso was third, 1.8secs behind Webber, while McLaren team-mates Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton were fourth and fifth, Hamilton nursing an ailing car to the finish with gear selection issues. Vettel praised his “magnificent” car after his first victory since the European Grand Prix at Valencia in June, which sees him jump to third in the championship standings.

“It’s about time,” said the 23-year-old after his third victory of the season, which puts him on a total of 206 points, level with Alonso and 14 behind Webber. “This track is like it has been drawn for us with all the high-speed corners.